The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Richard William Fellows (AFSN: FR-1334/ASN: 0-20655), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as Commanding Officer, 376th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, during World War II. On 23 February 1944, Lieutenant Colonel Fellows while flying as Group Leader took off with a formation of B-24 bombers, despite extremely severe weather condition that even made assembly over the home airdrome dangerous and difficult, on a highly vital mission to attack and destroy an enemy aircraft engine factory located in northern Austria. Arriving on a rendezvous where his formation was to be augmented by additional flights, he found no other bombers to join and form the wave for the attack. Well aware that other groups must have failed to rendezvous because of the existing hazardous weather and that his force was now numerically inferior, he nevertheless continued on to the target and to the attack. Ten minutes before reaching the target, the entire formation was attacked by approximately eighty enemy fighters, some which were firing rockets and others attacking aggressively coming within one-hundred and fifty yards of the formation. Despite this severe opposition which continued for over twenty minutes, he led the formation into the attack where the bombs were dropped with deadly accuracy on the target. By his superior leadership, cool judgment and initiative, Lieutenant Colonel Fellows brought his mission to a successful completion despite extremely hazardous weather, severe enemy opposition and inferiority in airplane strength, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 2, 1926, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Air Corps) Richard William Fellows (AFSN: FR-1334/ASN: 0-20655), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight while serving as formation leader of heavy bombardment aircraft of the 376th Bombardment Group, FIFTEENTH Air Force, on a mission against a vitally important and heavily defended enemy aircraft factory in Austria, on 30 May 1944. Displaying outstanding leadership, professional skill and teamwork, Lieutenant Colonel Fellows led the formation directly to the assigned target, avoiding all known areas of enemy anti-aircraft concentrations. In the target area under heavy barrages of flak, he coolly and expertly led his formation through the enemy defenses for a highly successful bombing run. Grave damage was inflicted on vital enemy installations and widespread destruction was evidenced throughout factory buildings and warehouses. Turning from the target, he quickly rallied his planes, bringing them safely through enemy territory to base. By his superb leadership, skillful coordination and outstanding professional skill under such hazardous conditions, in bringing his formation through formidable enemy defenses for a successful attack on the objective, he has upheld the highest traditions of the Military Service, thereby reflecting great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States of America.